The relationship between headache and symptoms of temporomandibular disorder in the general population

Objectives. To describe the relationship between headache and symptoms of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) in a general population, and to assess whether there are specific symptoms associated with headache. Methods. A personal interview survey conducted in 1995 on 483 adult subjects from the metropolitan community of Segrate, northern Italy. Results. The overall prevalence of headache in the past year was 21.2%. The prevalence of temporomandibular symptoms was 54.3%. Headache occurred significantly more in females than males (26.5 vs 15.4%), and in subjects with, rather than without. symptoms of TMD (27.4 vs 15.2%). Among symptoms, temporomandibular pain, temporomandibular joint sounds, and pain on movements of the jaw were associated with headache using a univariate analysis. After adjustment for confounding variables, a multiple logistic regression confirmed a significant relationship of headache with temporomandibular pain (OR 1.83, 95% CI, 1.07-3.15). Conclusions. In the general adult population there is an association between headache and symptoms of TMD. A functional evaluation of the stomatognathic system should be therefore considered in subjects with unexplained headache, even if chronic conditions and mechanical symptoms of temporomandibular disorder are absent. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.